Caroline: A lifetime? And I thought I got the upper hand in the deal I made. Damn, he's good!
Caroline muttered to herself while leaning against the bed headboard. The time on her phone showed 2 AM. It was true, she could not sleep after Klaus left her room. She had not given him the answer, yet. Still trying to weigh the pros and cons if she agreed with the deal.
The pro : she gets to live without feeling the guilt of killing her mom for the whole lifetime.
The con : she has to face Klaus for the next, what, 60 70 years of her one lifetime??!
Or better, find a way out of it, if any. She sighed. Why would she think she could outdo the hundreds or thousands bajillion years old hybrid. He got way more experience than her twenty five years of inexperience life.
A lifetime with Klaus. Could she really able to survive that long with him? She wanted all sorts of thing in her life. She wanted to finish college, graduate with a degree in Arts, get a job in acting or be an artist, living in LA. She had all kinds of dreams but being Klaus' queen was not in her list. Not in the near future, at least. Klaus had lived his life countless times, she was just starting out. She felt like it was not fair. She only came to New Orleans because of the offer he made. She wanted to see the world, with him. Not stuck in the city while he plays the King and rules the ground.
Caroline: King and Queen. What does he think he's in the UK with all the royals title.
Caroline grunted and pulled her hair with both hands.
Caroline: Ughh. Stupid me. I knew coming to New Orleans would be a mistake!
She recalled the conversation she had with Klaus earlier.
Caroline: Seriously? A lifetime? That's like a hundred years. I want to build a life for myself, Klaus. Being stuck by your side for a lifetime while you rule this city is definitely not in my bucket list!
Klaus: Then I have no choice but to compel you, sweetheart. I'll let you sleep on it. Tomorrow you'll let me know what you really want.
She rubbed her face with both of her hands, calming herself down. What does she really want. She wanted to go out there, see the world outside of Mystic Falls, but the wounds were still fresh. She couldn't enjoy her world with that much guilt. Out of sudden, she got an idea. Maybe she could annoy Klaus, get him angry, enough to make him push her away and break their deal. She would make sure Klaus regret for even suggesting her to be his queen. It was not that hard to annoy someone, right? She just had to be the old Caroline; the Caroline pre-vampire; the one who was always never the one.
--
Driving all the way from Mystic Falls to New Orleans was definitely a mistake he did not want to repeat, ever again. After about fourteen long hours drive, they finally arrived. It had been ages since Stefan Salvatore stepped his feet in this town. Nothing much had changed since then. He was not too keen about the town, especially with the fact that The Mikaelson was in control now.
Stefan looked to his right, Elena Gilbert lost in her own thoughts.
Stefan: We're here.
No reply. Elena was looking out the window, staring at the huge mansion outside their car.
Stefan: Elena?
Elena: What if she doesn't wanna come home? What do we do?
Stefan kept his mouth shut. Klaus' words still ringing in his ears. "You can come over to fetch her, but I'm not going to let her leave if she wants to stay."
Stefan: I'll talk to him.
Elena turned her head to face Stefan, her face sad.
Elena: It's Klaus, Stefan. You know how he felt about Caroline. He must be thrilled if she wants to stay.
Stefan: Then we'll talk to Caroline. Convince her to come home. Or we make a deal with Klaus. Or whatever that suits our problem. All I know is, we're not leaving without Caroline.
They both got out of the car and walked towards the Mikaelson Mansion. Elena following slowly behind Stefan. Stefan knocked on the front door before sending Klaus a quick text message.
Stefan 10.05AM : We're at your house. Where are you and Caroline?
It did not take long for the door to open. They both were welcomed by a confuse Elijah on the door.
Elijah: Stefan? Elena?
Elena: Elijah.
Stefan just nodded and smiled to him.
Elijah: Pardon me, I didn't know the Mystic Falls gang are going to pay us a visit anytime soon. I assume this has to do with Caroline staying here?
Stefan: Yes, we told Klaus we'll be here. I'm not surprised he didn't mention anything.
Elijah: Please, come in. I'm sure he'll be down in…
Before Elijah could finish his sentence, Klaus appeared.
Klaus: Stefan, old friend! And you brought the doppleganger with you.
There was a bitterness in his voice when Klaus mentioned the word doppleganger. Elena did not let that affect her, but she could not lie, she was always scared of Klaus.
Stefan: Where is Caroline?
Klaus: Getting down to business now, I see.
Stefan: I told you we're here for her.
Klaus: She is safe and sound. I asked my sister Freya to put a spell on her room. She can't get out.
Elena: Good... that's great! Where is she? I want to see her.
Klaus: Easy now, love. You did mention to her about our deal, right Stefan?
Elena: She is not staying with you, Klaus! She can't!
Klaus: And why is that?
Elena: Because…because you're a psychopath! You're a monster. You'll ruin her. You'll ruin our Caroline.
Klaus vamp sped towards Elena and pinned her to the nearest wall. His hand grasped her neck while dragging her up against the wall. He was furious. He would never ruin her. It was never his intention. He would only shower her with comfort and love till eternity.
Klaus: Do well to remember, you are in my house, my home!
Elijah: Niklaus!
Klaus: You mean nothing to me now, doppleganger. I could rip your heart here and now with nothing to lose!
Stefan: No, you'll lose her trust! Caroline will never forgive you!
Stefan's voice roared across the hall. At the mention of her name, Klaus' face soften just a little bit. He was annoyed how she had the power to affect him without being present in the room. He loosened the grip and lowered Elena's down.
Klaus: You are lucky you have your boyfriend to protect you.
Elena ignored the way Klaus emphasized the word boyfriend. She touched her neck, rubbing it softly after Klaus let her go. There was a moment of silence before Rebekah's heels broke the awkwardness.
Rebekah: What's with all the wretched noise.
Rebekah stopped strutting down the hall when she noticed the two uninvited guess from Mystic Falls, one of them whom she hated.
Rebekah: Is there some kind of reunion here I don't know? Stefan, nice to see you. Funny seeing you two here. Didn't you two breakup while we were still in Mystic Falls?
Stefan: We're here for Caroline. Where is she?
Rebekah: You're here to bring her home? Thank God! I can't imagine waking up another day to see her face in this house.
Klaus: Let's not jump to any conclusions here, can we? Caroline willingly came here to see me. I'm not allowing you lot to drag her away from me to where she came from.
Rebekah: She did willingly runaway when she saw your girlfriend. And I'm pretty sure she's no longer willingly want to stay here, Nik.
Klaus: Caroline has the say to stay or leave. Nobody is forcing her, not even me.
Stefan: I'm not going to ask again. Where is Caroline!
Klaus: Caroline is upstairs. I'll take you both there.
--
Meanwhile in another room upstair, Caroline sat on the bed, hearing all the conversations they had downstair.
Caroline: Shit, why is Stefan and Elena here?!
Caroline whispered to herself. She was now pacing back and forth in front of the door. A while later, the door opened. Klaus' face was the first she saw. His face was serious. Behind him stood Stefan and Elena, both with a shocked face. Klaus stepped aside to give way to both of them, but they both did not dare to enter the room. Elena however, was the first to break the silence, standing just outside the door.
Elena: Caroline! Thank God you're okay.
Caroline: Yup, I'm perfectly fine. You guys can go home. Send my regards to Mystic Falls.
Stefan: No, you're not. You're coming home with us. Please, Caroline...
Caroline: I said NO, Stefan. You guys won't let me do anything. You'll only force me to turn it back on. So yeah, I'm perfectly fine here!
Elena: Being locked up here is better than going home, Care?
Caroline: Well, it's better than being locked up in the Salvatore's dungeon, right Elena? And you did tell me to turn off my humanity, remember? Something about getting my perfect feathers ruffled… I couldn't thank you enough for your advice. I should listen to it sooner rather than later.
Caroline smiled wickedly at Elena. She still remembered word by word Elena said to her when Elena turned off her humanity back then. Elena didn't reply to Caroline's mockery. She just stood there, looking open-mouthed at Caroline. Klaus broke the silence by interfering in front of Stefan and Elena.
Klaus: So Stefan, as you can see... Caroline wants to stay here with me. I suggest you pack your bags and leave.
Stefan: Please, Klaus. Caroline will regret this when she gets her humanity back. If you love her, you'll let her leave with us.
Caroline: What makes you think that I'm going to regret this?
Caroline's question caught Stefan by surprise. Klaus turned around to see Caroline's face reddened
Caroline: What makes you think that I don't want this?
Stefan: Because I know you, Caroline. This is not you and I am not giving up on you.
Caroline: Oh please, Stefan. You know nothing about me. All you ever care about is her. I bet you're only here because of her. You're trying to win her back, right?
Elena: Caroline, please. I promise I won't ask you to turn it back on. Just come home with us.
Caroline laughed maniacally.
Caroline: Like I'm going to fall for that. Klaus, honey. Can you please make them leave. I'm done with this nonsense.
Klaus turned around to face the two. Stefan stared boldly at Klaus who was smiling smugly. He grabbed Elena's hand and started to walk away.
Stefan: Let's go, Elena.
Elena: What? NO! You said we're not leaving without Caroline!
Elena was struggling that Stefan had to drag her out of there, leaving Klaus and Caroline alone. Klaus turned around to face Caroline who was standing in the middle of the room. The wicked smile on her face was already gone. She was now squinting her eyes at him, with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She had been doing that gesture a lot to him lately.
Klaus: So, does this mean you agree with our deal?
Caroline did not straightaway answer his question. She just rolled her eyes. Klaus could not help but smile at her annoyed gesture. He walked slowly into the room towards her with his hands clasped behind his back.
Klaus: Come on now, love. Don't be so angry.
Caroline: Well, you did force me into this deal of a lifetime with you.
Klaus: It's either that or your humanity. Your choice, sweetheart.
Caroline still had her hands crossed on her chest. Klaus, standing just inches away from her, smirked. There was a twinkle in his eyes, as if he was enjoying this moment very much.
Caroline: Fine! But we need to lay out some ground rules if we're going to do this.
Klaus: I thought we already cover that. I won't compel you, you'll be my Queen.
Caroline: NO. I need more than that. It's a lifetime, for God's sake. I'll list out all the rules I want and you'll do the same too.
Klaus closed his distant towards Caroline, staring down at her boldly.
Klaus: I don't want to play games, Caroline.
His voice was deep and threatening but Caroline was unaffected.
Caroline: Well, neither do I. I need a pen and a paper.
Klaus was still hesitating. His eyes never leaving Caroline.
Caroline: What? Do you want to do this or not?
Klaus: I'll ask Freya to put the spell down. I'll meet you later in my study. I trust you, Caroline. Don't ruin this.